Starguide drawing instrument

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a drawing instrument for laying-out geometric figures such as five pointed stars, pentagons, circles or combinations of any of these figures. The drawing instrument comprises a plate having a triangular aperture therein. A plurality of vertical and horizontal guidelines are scored on the plate, some of the horizontal guidelines intersecting the sides of the triangular aperture. Pinholes are made in the plate at selected points above the apex of the triangular aperture. A pushpin is useful with the pinholes in the plate to permit the drawing of stars, pentagons and circles. The points of intersection of the horizontal guidelines with the sides of the aperture are useful as markers in drawing different sized figures. Also, inserts may be placed within the triangular aperture to aid in the drawing of different sized figures. A plurality of circle guides are made in the plate at selected distances from the pinholes to permit the drawing of various sized circles.

[ 1 Oct. 23, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is a drawing instrument for laying-out geometric figures such as five pointed stars, pentagons, circles or combinations of-any of these figures. The drawing instrument comprises a plate having a triangular aperture therein. A plurality of vertical and horizontal guidelines are scored on the plate, some of the horizontal guidelines intersecting the sides of the triangular aperture. Pinholes are made in the plate at selected points above the apex of the triangular aperture. A pushpin is useful with the pinholes in the plate to permit the drawing of stars, pentagons and circles. The points of intersection of the horizontal guidelines with the sides of the aperture are useful as markers in drawing different sized figures. Also, inserts may be placed within the triangular aperture to aid in the drawing of different sized figures. A plurality of circle guides are made in the plate at selected distances from the pinholes to permit the drawing of various sized cir- STARGUIDE DRAWING INSTRUMENT inventor: Steve Canton, 5505 Flag Run Dr., North Springfield, Va.

Dec. 7, 1970 Appl. No.2 95,839

33/174 B, 33/1 B, 33/104 Int. B431 13/00 Field of Search 33/1 B, 174 B, 104, 33/1 R, 111

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1927 McCaffery............................ 33/104 7/1955 Nielsen.... 33/104 FOREIGN PATENTS OR- APPLICATIONS United States Patent Canton [22] Filed:

[52] U.S. Cl. 1

cles

Switzerland.;.........................

Primary Examiner-Wil1iam D. Martin, Jr.

PATENTEUUBY 23 I975 saw 10; 4

STARGUIDE DRAWING INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION gon within a circle and variations of all or any parts of the geometric figures.

2. Description of the Prior Art Some conventional drawing instruments for layingout five pointed stars, pentagons, and circles are objectionable because they require the user to calculate angles and distances, while other known instruments require the use of additional drawing tools such as compasses and protractors. These objections to the prior art devices are over-come by this invention which permits the user including school-age children without drawing or artistic skills to draw perfect five-pointed stars, pentagons, circles and various combinations of these geometrical figures without making any calculations or using any additional drawing instruments other than a pencil.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According-to the present invention, the drawing instrument comprises a flat plate having a triangular aperture therein. The triangular aperture has a base side and first and second sides; the first and second sides each intersect the base side at an angle of 37% and intersect each other to form an apex opposite the base side. A plurality of pinholes in the plate are spaced at selected points along a line which bisects the base side and passes through the apex. When a pushpin is placed in the pinhole furthest from the apex, the largest size star or pentagon may be drawn. Smaller stars and pen tagons may be drawn with the same drawing plate by scoring a plurality of horizontal guidelines on the plate, so that the guidelines intersect the sides of the triangular aperture. Then, using pinholes that arecloser to the apex and the points of intersection of the horizontal guidelines and aperture side s, smaller stars and pentagons may be drawn. Circle guides are made in the plate at selected distances from the pinholes and are useful for drawing different sized circles.

A particular feature of the present invention relates to the use of a single, apertured plate for the drawing instrument whereby various sized stars, pentagons and circles can be described without the use of additional drawing instruments other than a pencil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a drawing instrument made according to the present invention, and capable of describing a plurality of different sized stars up to a maximum size of 12 inches.

FIG. 2 illustrates a drawing plate of the present invention having the 8 inch star and pentagon template insert positioned therein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a 6 inch star within a pentagon within a circle made with the drawing instrument of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an 4 inch five pointed star made with drawing instrument of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a 10 inch star and pentagon template useful with the drawing plate of the present invention.

FIG. 58 illustrates an 8 inch star and pentagon template useful with the drawing plate of the present invention.

FIG. 5C illustrates a 6 inch star and pentagon template useful with the drawing plate of the present invention.

FIG. 5D illustrates a 4 inch star and pentagon template useful with the drawing plate of the present invention.

FIG. 5E illustrates a 2 inch star and pentagon template useful with the drawing plate of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a geometric design comprising a plurality of stars, pentagons and circles made with the drawing plate of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a plan view of the drawing instrument of the present invention is illustrated. Thedrawing instrument or tool, generally indicated as D, comprises a flatsheet or plate 10 of thin transparent plactic or other suitable material. The instrument need not be transparent, e.g.', it could be made of .an opaque metal; however, the transparent feature is desirable so that the user can observe the partially drawn geometric figure through the instrument as additional sections are drawn.

The plate 10 has a triangular aperture, generally indicated at T, therein. It will appear as this discussion continues that the aperture need not be triangularly shaped. For example, a pair of slots coincident with the aperture sides 14 and 16 could also be used. The aperture T has a base side 12, and first and second sides 14 and 16, respectively. The First side 14 intersects the base side 12 at a point 12a, and make a 37% angle therewith. The second side 16 intersects the base side 12 at a point 12b, and makes a 37% angle therewith. The first and second sides, 14 and 16, intersect each other at an apex X. The apex lies along a line V7 which bisects the base side 12. v The plate 10 has a plurality of pinholes 2P 12P which are spaced along the line V7. As explained below, the distance of the pinholes from the apex X is directly related to the sizes of the stars and/or pentagons that may be drawn with the plate 10.

A plurality of horizontal gridlines Hl-Hll are scored on the surface of the plate 10. All of the horizontal gridlines are parallel to the base side 12; Some of the horizontal gridlines, i.e., Hl-l-IS intersect the sides 14 and 16 of the aperture T, while the remainder of the horizontal gridlines, i.e., H6-H11 do not intersect the sides 14 and 16 of the apeture T. The points 10A and 10B, 8A and 8B, 6A and 68, 4A and 4B, and 2A and 2B are the points of intersection of the horizontal gridlines Hl-HS with the sides 14 and 16 respectively of the aperture T. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the horizontal gridlines H6-H11 pass through the pinholes 2P-l2P, respectively.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, a plurality of vertical gridlines are scored on the surface of the plate 10. Vertical gridlines V1 and V13 are scored between the points 12A and 12B and the horizontal gridline H11. Similarly, vertical gridlines V2 and V12 are scored between the points 10A and 10B and the horizontal gridline H10; vertical gridlines V3 and VII are scored between the points 8A and 8B and horizontal gridline H9; vertical gridlines V and V9 are scored between the points 4A and 4B and the horizontal gridline H7; and the vertical gridlines V6 and V8 are scored between the points 2A and 2B and the Horizontal gridline H6. The vertical gridlines V1-V13 are scored on the plate as a matter of convenience to the user. For example, when drawing an 8 inch star, the user is able to correlate the pinhole 8P with the points 8A and 8B as explained below.

The distances between the pinholes and the apex, and the length of the base side 12 of the aperture T determine sizes of the stars and pentagons that may be drawn with a particular plate 10. Once the pinhole locations and the length of the base side 12 are chosen, the horizontal gridlines are scored so that the points 2A, 28 etc. will be useful to draw different sized stars and/or pentagons as described below.

A set of dimensions for a plate 10 which is useful to draw stars and pentagons from 2 to 12 inches in size are:

Length of Her. Distance It will be seen that for each increase in star size by 2 inches, the distance between the pinhole and the apex X increases three-eighths inch and the base side of the aperture T increases in length by 1 1/4 inches. Thus, the dimensions for drawing plates 10 useful for describing stars and circles both larger than 12 inches and smaller than 2 inches can be easily determined by using the following rule: for an increase of 2 inches in the size of the star or pentagon, increase the distance of the pinhole to the apex by three-eighths inch and increase the length of the base side 12 by l /inches.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, a plurality of circle guides or holes 2C, 4C, 6C, 8C, 10C and 12C are made in the plate D at selected distances from the pinholes 2P-12P, respectively. These circle guides are useful for describing circles as shown below.

OPERATION 1. Instructions for making a 4 inches five pointed star (see FIG. 4). Place a sheet of paper upon a surface where a push-pin may be used. Position the plate 10 on the paper and press a pushpin firmly into the pinhole 8P. Place a pencil at point 8A of the aperture T and run the pencil along the side 14 to the apex Z; this action will generate line 40. Next, run the pencil along side 16 to the point 8B; this action will generate line 42. Now, using the pushpin as a pivot, rotate the plate 10 in a clockwise direction until the point 88 is superimposed on the line 40. Now, the pencil is run from the present point SE to the apex X; this action generates line 44. Next, the pencil is run from the point X to the point 8B; this action generate line 46. Again, the plate 10 is rotated in the clockwise direction until the point 8B is superimposed on the line 46. Now the pencil is run from the point SE to the apex X to the point 8A, gene. \ting the lines 48 and 50, respectfully. This operation is repeated twice more to draw the lines 52, 54 and 56, 58

to complete the 4 inches five point star.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the aperture T has an insert 1 positioned therein. The insert 1 snaps snugly into the aperture T and extends from the base side 12 of the aperture T to the level of the horizontal gridline H2. The insert I if of advantage to users when making stars because it automatically stops the pencil at the correct stop point along the aperture side 14 or 16. The insert I is also of advantage when making pentagons because it provides a firm guide for the pencil as described below. Referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of such star and pentagon describing inserts I may be provided to aid in the drawing of different sized stars and pentagons.

2. Instructions for drawing a 6 inches five-pointed star within a pentagon within a circle (See FIG. 3). The 6 inches insert I is snapped into the aperture T. The plate 10 is placed on a sheet of paper and a pushpin is pressed firmly into the pinhole 6P. A pancil is placed at the point 6A and is run along the side 14 to the point X, along the side 16 to the point 68 and along the 6 inches insert I to the point 6A; this action generates the lines 70, 71' and 72, respectively. Next, the plate 10 is rotated in the clockwise direction until the point 6B is superimposed on the line 70. Now, the complete triangle-6A to X to 6B to 6Ais traced again, this action will generate the lines 73, 74 and 75 respectively. Again the plate 10 is rotated in the clockwise direction until the point 6B is superimposed on the line 73. Next, the complete triangle6A to X to 6B to 6Ais traced again; this action generates the lines 76, 77 an 78, respectively. The actions of rotating the plate 10 and tracing the triangle are repeated twice more to generate lines 79, 80 and 81 and 82, 83 and 84 to complete the 6 inches five-pointed star within a pentagon. Now, to describe the circle, place the pencil in the circle guide 6C and rotate the whole plate 10 until the circle 84 is completed.

The operation of the drawing plate 10 to draw stars, pentagons and circles has been described. The plate 10 is also useful to describe stars within stars, pentagons within pentagons and circles within circles, and combinations of all or any parts of these geometic figures. For example, see FIG. 6, where is illustrated a complex geometric figure comprising a plurality of stars, pentagons and circles made with the drawing instrument of the present invention.

While there has been described and illustrated one specific embodiment of the invention, it will be clear that variations of the details of construction which are specifically illustrated and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A drawing instrument comprising a plate having a triangular aperture therein, said triangular aperture having a base side, a first side and second side, said first and second sides intersecting to form an apex opposite said base side; a line scored on said plate, said line being perpendicular to said base side and passing through said apex; a plurality of pinholes in said plate spaced along said line; and a plurality of horizontal gridlines scored on said plate parallel to said base side, some of said horizontal gridlines lying between said apex and saidbase side and intersecting said first and second sides of said triangular aperture.

Base Side.

4. A drawing instrument comprising a plate having a triangular aperture therein, said triangular aperture having a base side, a first side and second side, said first and second sides intersecting to form an apex opposite said base side; a line scored on said plate, said line being perpendicular to said base side and passing through said apex; a plurality of pinholes in said plate spaced along said line; and a plurality of differently sized inserts which may selectively be used to partially fill said triangular aperture.

5. The drawing instrument of claim 1 wherein said pinholes are spaced from each other by inch increments. 

1. A drawing instrument comprising a plate having a triangular aperture therein, said triangular aperture having a base side, a first side and second side, said first and second sides intersecting to form an apex opposite said base side; a line scored on said plate, said line being perpendicular to said base side and passing through said apex; a plurality of pinholes in said plate spaced along said line; and a plurality of horizontal gridlines scored on said plate parallel to said base side, some of said horizontal gridlines lying between said apex and said base side and intersecting said first and second sides of said triangular aperture.
 2. The drawing instrument of claim 1 wherein said first and second sides of said triangular aperture each intersect said base side at angles of 37 1/2 *.
 3. The drawing instrument of claim 1 wherein said horizontal gridlines are spaced from said base side according to the following schedule: First Horizontal Gridline - 15/32 inches from Base Side Second Horizontal Gridline - 15/16 inches from Base Side Third Horizontal Gridline - 1 13/32 inches from Base Side Fourth Horizontal Gridline - 1 7/8 inches from Base Side Fifth HorizontAl Gridline - 2 11/32 inches from Base Side.
 4. A drawing instrument comprising a plate having a triangular aperture therein, said triangular aperture having a base side, a first side and second side, said first and second sides intersecting to form an apex opposite said base side; a line scored on said plate, said line being perpendicular to said base side and passing through said apex; a plurality of pinholes in said plate spaced along said line; and a plurality of differently sized inserts which may selectively be used to partially fill said triangular aperture.
 5. The drawing instrument of claim 1 wherein said pinholes are spaced from each other by 3/8 inch increments. 